Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-04-05
Saved by a Snowman.

The Oak Hill school-house stood at
the foot of beautiful slope, crowned
with great, spreading oaks, whose rich,
dark green was here and there varied
BY the darker green Of an occasional
towering pine.
The school-housc itself was small,
weather-beaten affair. almost hidden by
tho great trees that twined their "hun-
drel strong arms about and above it.
shielding il alike from summer suns and
winter winds.
Some teacher. or pupil. years back.
with perhaps the california big trees
in mind, had named some of the larger
ones
One was the "Giant.h one that
stood almost over the entrance was
the "Watchman, another was the
'Indlan Chief and among the other
large ones, named for some popularity
IL appearance were "Old Deadwood, "
'sTopknot. '.King Of the oaks. and
various others.
1t was ''iust the place for II school
house. so said the trustees, forty years
ago, and so thought each succeeding
generation of boys and girls, who play
cd 10 the cool grove in summer. or en-
loved the splendid coasting on the hill
IN the winter.
The slide began few rods away
from the seIool-honsc, where the hill
sloped Just enough for grand start.
lhen away across the playground,
swift and fast across the road, swifter
yet through the fence, where the rails
were let down, and far down into
Farmer Green's pasture"
Surely no modern toboggan ever fur
nished more enjoyment than did the
rude sleds that carried the Coax HIP
boys and girls.
One would have supposed that moth
ing could ever disturb that retired
school playground; but railroad
company, who wanted II short cut for II
branch road sent their surveyors that
way of course, they must lay their
route Just back Of the school-house, Mt
the foot Of the hill. right across the
summer play ground Mt tho right. and
rightaeross the winter coasting- ground
nj the left
At first there was n great deal of talk
about moving the sehool-house. and
the 'Deestreth held meetings, and
discussed the matter, and it was finally
decided that new school-house was
needed; but estimates had to be made,
and great deal Of talking done, and
meanwhile spring work came ON. and
the spring school began, and the rail
road work went swiftly forward
Tho slow, sleepy people of the dis
trict went the round of spring work.
summer work and fall work. aud be-
fore they knew il, another winter came
aud went. another spring had come.
the branch road WIS completed and
running, and tho old school house still
did duty.
All were busy. the children were
careful, and the question of new
snoelhouse was for time entirely
dropped.
The novelty OF the railroad helped
the children to forget the trespass on
their summer playground, but, by the
time winter came, they had worn of.
and they missed Their old coasting-
ground very much.
They had TO content themselves with
snow-foris and sham. battles. which
often brought ilsing glimpse Of pleas
ure 10 the faces looking rom the win
dows Of the passing trains.
the noon, after dinner was ,lispatch-
ed group of boys stood watching a
long, heavy fire ght train. as it moved
over the road and the Older ones were
talk NJ OF the good times they used to
have on the slide. before the railroad
came, and wondering what they could
do for some fun.
III know. said Ali Hartley. Lets
make snowman. We haven't had
one this winter.
"All right" cried Tom Barton. And
LEI us build ii right up by the track -
there lots OF snow there-and let's
make him good and strong. so that he
wen I TIP over IN the first wind that
comes along
II II tell You, boys, let's get lour.
iorked branch for legs. and build the
snow around ii. and that will make him
strong said Bob Merritt
so to work they went with a will. the
big boys building, the small ones roll
ing up the great, soft balls OF snow for
the others TO work with.
When the bell rang. the snowman
was well under way. AT recess they
gave every minute to their work and
hau MN AL done but the finishing
touches. as Tom Barton said.
After school was out. these were put
on The nose, eyes and mouth were
made by pressing pieces of coal into
ms lace, while some fine. scrappv
twlgs stuck into the back of his head
made very respectable hair; a red hand
Kerchlef was tied around his neck. and
pieces OF coal stuck into his s.nhvsic,l
system so Bob Merritt said, Tor but
tons.
A pipe was put in his mouth and n
stan IN his hand, and, as he was nearly
seven ieet high, he was quite impos-
ing.
A pail or two of water from tho
school-house well was dipped over him
maklng him firm and strong as it froze.
nurrah for Captain Snow. lust from
me North Polerh cried Tom Barton.
:. ANA as the boys left the playground
ihey gave three cheers that would have
nhaue tue snow-man's hair stand on
END II 1t had not already stood that
Inc next day was cold and windy,
anu the boys, fearing for the safety of
Gap'aln Snow, .propped him up on each
sue, although he stood in sheltered
spol. and built sort of platform of